All about Money
The social side of the club
was helped at this time by a series of highly profitable discos held by
Birmingham Battery. The importance of such events can be shown by looking at
the finances of the club at this time. Our bar turnover had increased
annually from 9,018 in 1977 up to 27,414 in 1980. In 1980 out of a total
income of 11,465, the profit from the bar was 6,875. The cost of running
the club was 10,219.
Colts Tour
Tony Meads and twenty-two
members embarked on a Colts Tour to the Forest of Dean in the February of
1981. The first match was played against Bream but the second against Lydney
was cancelled due to snow. A blessing, as the large amount of scrumpy
consumed the night before took its toll.
It was recorded in the clubs
minutes that a splendid pair of Black gates had been erected at the end of
the drive.
Talented back row, Nigel
Burrows, became the second Old Yardleian to win international honours when he
played for England Colts versus Wales Colts in Italy. Nigel had a promising
career at Moseley cut short by a knee injury but recovered enough to return
and captain the club in 1986-87. The main club tour was to the Lake District,
winning both matches against Ambleside and Keswick. On our return we had a
letter from the Midland Bank saying that they admired our sense of adventure
but would we return the very large flag that Steve Price had removed from its
high perch on the front of their Kendal Branch.
In the September, Cork
Constitution paid us a visit the game ending in a creditable seven all draw.
A farewell match was arranged for second row, Roger Martin and Alan Harrison,
The Ugly Sisters, who were off to live in South Africa.